FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern men's soccer team understands how those outside the program view them – a club that simply won just four games in 2016 and should finish in a similar position near the bottom half of the Sunshine State Conference once again in 2017.
At the same time, what those same people don't remember is that head coach
Matt Watts inherited a roster at the start of 2016 that turned in only one SSC victory the year before. Even so, Watts guided the Sharks to a 2-2 finish down the stretch of his first season at the helm, including wins over Barry and Saint Leo, and had a handful more slip through their grasp following six one-goal defeats.
Fast forward the calendar heading into 2017, and Watts now has a roster much more comfortable within his system, and is filled with more depth and experience after enduring past growing pains. Mix those ingredients together and this Nova Southeastern bunch may be one to raise some eyebrows throughout the league as well as the region when the regular season kicks off on Thursday against Mississippi College.
Beginning on the attacking half of the pitch, the Sharks return 82 percent of their goal scoring from a year ago.
Bestun Mohammed looks to pick up where he left off from last fall when he tallied all five of his goals in the final eight matches. Joining Mohammed will be
Noel Johnson and
Filippo Mancini, who combined for six goals and two assists in just 11 starts, along with transfers
Darwin Lom and
OT Bah. Lom, a junior by way of Shorter, led all of the Gulf South Conference in goals-per-game average a year ago, while Bah earned NAIA All-American honors after registering seven goals and seven assists at Tennessee Wesleyan.
"With the guys coming in, I do believe we'll be a talented side," said Watts. "We just have to put that talent together. Guys are going to have to understand their roles. Some guys may be very talented, yet won't play right off the bat. That's what it's all about, though. It's all about competition and pushing each other. "
The development of the offense isn't the only group to be excited about, as the Sharks also bring back back-line fixtures in
Stefan Faistenauer and
Nathaniel Pells. Together, the two finished second and third among the club in minutes played as freshmen in 2016. Both
Jack Howard and
Nico Rosiglioni, once again, give Nova Southeastern two experienced options in the net to go along with newcomers Arns Carenard and
Andre Zabala, who have received positive reviews this preseason - particularly from Howard.
"The defense last year was strong and we were rarely outplayed in our defensive third," said Howard. "We have two newcomers in the back line, one being a freshman, Andre, and one a very experienced player, Arns. For Andre, having the experienced players alongside him will really enable great development as a player. Overall, I think the addition of the quality newcomers will build our defensive strength."
The Sharks will receive their first dose of action versus Mississippi College before facing Delta State, the same program Watts turned around in his only two seasons, on Saturday. Only time will tell, but the upcoming weekend may lay the foundation for a quality season and yet another turn around for Watts,
"These games are very important to us." added Howard. "I think they'll give us a good indication of how far we've come as a team since last year. We've worked very hard during spring, summer and preseason, so two strong results will be a great reward for us."
